I look up and see Charles walking through with some of the executives. Those earlier sensations wash over me, and I squeeze my legs together once more.
Our eyes meet, and he grins, causing a riot of feelings. A blush creeps up my body, and I smile, lowering my eyes to my plate. The last person who needs to see the lust I’m wearing like a second skin is my boss and his cronies.
Thinking about Charles is a constant struggle between professionalism and the thought of wanting to rip off his clothes. I need to get a grip on myself, but being this close to him isn’t making it easy. I’ve reverted to a teenage girl with raging hormones, and it’s embarrassing as all hell. Even if I’m the only one who realizes the effect he has on me.
Maybe I need to rip off the Band-Aid and jump back into dating. If I could find a diversion with another guy, it could help me get back on track.
Focusing my attention on someone else can’t be a bad idea.
Asher has tons of hot friends. None of them interest me, but maybe I haven’t given them a chance.
Yes, I need a distraction from this weird mess I’ve found myself in. Anything to push Charles out of my head.
Lost in my thoughts, I actually jump when my phone rings. It’s a number I don’t recognize, and I almost ignore it, assuming it’s another annoying telemarketing call, but at the last second, I cave.
“Hello, this is Raven,” I say, waiting for the person on the other line to speak.
“Raven, it’s Charles.”
His husky voice washes over me, and I almost groan, but I stuff it down.
Way down.
I look toward where I’d just seen him moments ago, but of course, he’s no longer there. Had I manifested this damn call?
This is nuts.
“Raven?”
“I’m here, but how did you get this number?” The question comes out a little snappy, and I instantly regret it. How is it my fault I’m unable to control my reaction to him?
“It’s in your new hire paperwork.”
My hand smacks against my forehead. “Oh, right,” I say, feeling stupid. “What can I do for you?”
“I need you to work late tonight. Holly’s on board, but she has some scheduling conflicts. We need to get her photo shoots arranged ASAP.”
“Tonight?”
Dear God, this is not what I need.
Distance after those feelings last night. A new distraction... that’s what was on the menu. Not time spent alone in a dark office with a man I’m struggling to keep my hands off.
“Yes. Tonight,” he drawls as if I’m slow and he’s annoyed by it. “We’ll need to work until we have it all ironed out. Late nights are part of the job,” he says, sounding like a complete ass.
His attitude does the trick, and my lust is overturned with annoyance at his less than cheery disposition. I can get whiplash from the directions this man takes. It might be part of the job, but can’t a girl get a simple please?
“Why do you have to be so damn grumpy? I need to cancel the dinner plans I had for the evening, but I’ll be here for as long as needed.”
He’s quiet for a moment, and I wonder what he’s doing on the other end.
“Fine. I’d like you to work this afternoon on contacting all the publications we’ll want to feature Diosa and Holly in. Book those shoots for any time within the next forty-five days. Interview questions can be sent over immediately. If we can do the shoots here and send them the proofs, even better.”
“On it,” I say, jotting as much of this down as I remember.
That will easily keep me busy the rest of the day.
“Come to my office straight after you finish that, and we can get started. For the rest of the week, I’d like you to work on interviews and getting the other two accounts and talent set up with different publications. This is most important.”